The 23-year-old Detroit native and plus-size-fashion blogger was one of 20 contestants chosen by MTV, in partnership with ZYNC from American Express, to compete for a $100,000 contract to be the social-media face of MTV.

[ video unavailable on this device ]

Throughout the first round of challenges, Gabi’s eye for style and gregarious charm catapulted her to more than 5,000 Twitter followers and nabbed her the highest number of votes on the ZYNC by American Express Facebook hub.

Only five of the original contestants made it to the live finale in New York City, and Gabi, rocking a little black dress on the sparkly stage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, continued her winning streak to top the popular vote during every elimination round. Moments after it was revealed that Gabi nabbed the throne, the @MTVTJ account was transferred to her possession, and she tweeted her first official message: “Ommmmmgggggg thAnk you to everyone.”

Gabi spoke to MTV News only moments after sending off her first dispatch, and she told us all about why she’s excited about the position — including the fact that it’s her first job since she graduated from college two years ago. She has big plans for the historic new position, and she’s keeping it all about the followers.

“My main goal is to really connect with the audience,” she said. “I don’t want to be the same as the MTV Twitter; I want to keep it personable and keep in touch with the followers. I want to give them a voice.”

Her first order of business? “Paying off my student loans,” she says. We can’t wait to see what her second is — and what she’ll wear during all of them.